Dillon Square Deal or 550B

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I really like my 550b, currently load 9, .45acp, .38, .223 and .308 on it. I also have an RCBS Rock Chucker I use for certain operations and for calibers I load in smaller quantities, like .45 Colt, .44 Special, .257 WBY and 7mm-08.

I recommend the 550 over the SD for it's versatility, ease of use and how quickly you can turn out copious amounts of very accurate loads. You may think now that you're only going to load that one caliber on the SD, but never say never.

The 550 will also give you the option to use specialized does like the Lee FCD or a Redding Competition seating die if you wish.
 
HexHead said:
Why would you prefer to run dirty brass through your resizing die?
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It depends.

Dirty range pick up cases get cleaned before reloading, then cleaned again after sizing. Purchased once fired cases from questionable sources get cleaned before resizing as well.

Cases that I have fired that just have soot from shooting usually do not get cleaned prior to sizing.

Cases resized in steel dies, primarily rifle but handgun dies in days past, get cleaned prior to sizing. It is no fun polishing out dies that are scratching cases.

In forty plus years of reloading, i have never scratched a carbide sizing die or scratched a case sized in a carbide sizing die.

There is nothing wrong with cleaning cases before resizing and it is probably easier on all dies. But with experience, I have determined that under certain circumstances cleaning cases prior to sizing has minimal benefits and is time i prefer not to spend.

I always clean cases after sizing regardless.
 
Even with just soot, that will transfer to your dies. Clean brass sizes more easily, IME.
 
I've reloaded for almost 40 years; and, as far as I'm concerned, a higher initial cost is the only valid reason to choose a Square Deal press over Dillon's much more useful 550B. In fact, if I owned only one reloading press it would be a 550B.
 
I have both and do exactly what you are talking about. Since I have 6 45 autos I use the Sqare Deal for 45 never change it works great I load everything else on 550 except rifles that use extruded powder use Rock Chucker and auto Rcbs chargemaster for those great setup . Like Square Deal better for 45 than 550 it loads them as well but leaving one setup eliminate aggravating little quirks resetting up sometimes causes. Both are great machine for sure
 
The reason I don't prime on the Square Deal... the press works fine, but I have the time and the brass, so I prefer to keep stocks of primed, ready-to-load cases on-hand. It makes it very quick to load on the Square Deal when you're not messing with primers at all.

When priming in a separate operation, it also means you're touching the brass one more time and it's easier to notice things like split cases, etc. and toss them in the recycle bin. I size and prime on a single stage press, and I've removed the de-capping pin from the sizing die on the Square Deal. In order to keep things well balanced on the shell plate, I still insert the sized/primed case in station 1 and I'm effectively sizing it a second time but there's of course no need to prime. It's very fast.
 
I liked the Square Deal for 9mm. It has low leverage at the top of the stroke and it takes a hard push to seat primers in .45, though.

I went to a 550 for easier changeover, I have loaded .44-40 for CAS, 9mm, .38 Special, and .45 ACP for IDPA. I load all rifle single stage because I only shoot rifles carefully for best accuracy, not "blasting."
 
When I was looking at getting a progressive last year, I found a used SDB with setups for 9, 40 and 45ACP. I had almost pulled the trigger (pun intended), when my due diligence revealed that the dies are machine (SDB) specific.
It would leave me without an 'upgrade path'.
Decided to order up a 550 with everything I needed for 3 calibers, except a case feeder.
Ran across a 650 with everything and never looked back.

Do you see yourself with multiple progressives?
If so, the SDB may be a good place to start, especially if you can buy used.
Don't see yourself with multiple progressives?
I would go 550. It opens so many doors for using optional dies from other manufacturers, case feeders, bullet feeders etc. Cant do any of these on the SDB.

Price them all new.
Go to Armslist and Run a search like this.
You can reduce the hits by adding '550' or 650' or 'sdb' to the search.
Notify the sellers and see if they are willing to ship. Some are, Some aren't.

Whatever your choice in the Blue koolaid, you will not be dissapointed.
 
only one progressive on the bench? 550 or 650
I keep a SD dedicated to .45 for convenience
My Dillon presses have reloaded many thousands of quality rounds and paid for themselves many times over AND they are worth more used and dirty than I paid for them new. pretty good value
a word on the auto index issue: The manual index becomes automatic and is so easy and effortless that I wouldn't give it a second thought. Auto indexing is no real benefit if you're are watching what you are doing. I have never double charged a case.
 
I liked the Square Deal for 9mm. It has low leverage at the top of the stroke and it takes a hard push to seat primers in .45, though.
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Do the 9's seat easier than the 45's?
 
ljnowell said:
I started on an auto indexing 4 hold turret. I ditched it for a lee Pro1000. It came no where near as close to the production. Not just in time but in effort. When you shoot the volume I do pulling the handle 4000 times for 1000 rounds is a joke.
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I am glad you like yours. I traded mine off to a fellow who was thrilled to have them. I just don't have the personality suited to progressives, I think. Of course, it might have been my presses. I got them used and have never used a brand-new progressive. But I know myself well enough, I think, that monitoring multiple simultaneous operations does not suit my loading style. That is just me, though. Others are better suited to progressives and I am happy for them.

If I shot more volume (and didn't change chamerings as often as I do) I would make a greater effort to adapt myself.

But I have gone off topic. In an effort to get back to the original question, I will say that the difference between the auto0-indexing of the Square Deal vs the 550 calls for designing your loading methodology/algorithm to use the machine efficiently and which suits you.

That is, pick the machine to which you can adapt with the least amount of compromise to your personal style.

Lost Sheep
 
Lost Sheep said:
I am glad you like yours. I traded mine off to a fellow who was thrilled to have them. I just don't have the personality suited to progressives, I think. Of course, it might have been my presses. I got them used and have never used a brand-new progressive. But I know myself well enough, I think, that monitoring multiple simultaneous operations does not suit my loading style. That is just me, though. Others are better suited to progressives and I am happy for them.

If I shot more volume (and didn't change chamerings as often as I do) I would make a greater effort to adapt myself.

But I have gone off topic. In an effort to get back to the original question, I will say that the difference between the auto0-indexing of the Square Deal vs the 550 calls for designing your loading methodology/algorithm to use the machine efficiently and which suits you.

That is, pick the machine to which you can adapt with the least amount of compromise to your personal style.

Lost Sheep
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I hear the same thing from many people, they just don't like everything going on st once on a progressive. Nothing wrong with that at all, we all have our own pace and rhythm we like to follow.
 
I have found the manual index is not really a limitation. It just becomes part of the flow.
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Absolutely correct - for me anyways.

I love my 550.
I've had other presses & they just don't compare.

Sorry I can't speak to the SDB, never had one, but also have no interest in one either.
The proprietary dies are a deal breaker for me.
 
I hear the same thing from many people, they just don't like everything going on st once on a progressive.
Click to expand...

I think I noticed a youngster texting that very comment the other day while she was eating lunch, driving down the expressway.
 
I have (2) Dillon SDB units and (1) 550 unit. I thought the 550 unit would be more advantageous due to capability to load pistol or rifle cartridges. For my application I was wrong the 550 collects dust seldom used. I employ a Redding single stage for rifle and the SDB units which are dedicated to the 9mm-Luger and 45ACP.

I realize that the experience of others is or may differ than mine. So lets simply not be argumentative or rationalize our differences in reloading applications.:D
 
I also have two Dillon SDB's that keep me in 45 acp, 9mm & 38/357. For rifle have used the Lee Classic turret press and do a few hundred 223/5.56 a week with out any problems. Still enjoy spending a hour after dinner reloading.:D
 
Priced 3 Dillons today.

$360 SD
$415 550B with caliber conversion
$505 650

Flip a coin.........
 
Priced 3 Dillons today.

$360 SD
$415 550B with caliber conversion
$505 650

Flip a coin.........
Click to expand...

You have to watch how Dillon prices their presses.

The SD and 1050 are ready to go, the 550 and 650 you will also have to add dies.
 
OP, based on your original question and stating that you will only load 9mm, I recommend the SDB.

I have a SDB that I load 9mm and .45LC on. I do have two sets of heads, Powder dispensers and Primer feeds. It is easy to change out. The SDB was made for handgun calibers and if that is all you will do then that is the better option. I also have a Lee classic for any other type Low volume reloading. :cool:

Like with everything, once your learn it and get comfortable with it, you will be producing excellent quality 9mm ammo.:D

I do not have a 550B to compare too, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. :neener:

Lefty
 
I have a 550 and love it. I load 380, 9, 40, and 45 on it. Caliber swap is quick, and I have the primer size swap down to less than 60 seconds.

I don't have any experience with the SDB. One thing I did find out, though, is that the caliber conversion for the SDB comes with the dies. The caliber conversions for the 550 does not, so you have to factor in the cost of the dies. Once I realized that, the price to add another caliber is actually cheaper for the SDB.

I think if I were only shooting one pistol caliber a lot, and other calibers only occasionally (to include rifle) I would go with the SDB and a simple single stage press. I don't care how many progressive presses any one person owns, they almost always have a single-stage handy. I have one set up with a collet bullet puller or a universal decapper die.
 
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